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Pale Fire Capital buys 6.9% of Ziff Davis (ZD) in value stake

Filing Impact
(Moderate)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
SCHEDULE 13D

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Pale Fire Capital and related Czech entities filed a Schedule 13D reporting a significant stake in Ziff Davis, Inc.. Through PFC SICAV, they beneficially own 2,597,799 shares of common stock, or 6.9% of the outstanding shares as of February 18, 2026, acquired for about $77.1 million.

The group says it bought the stock because it believes Ziff Davis was undervalued and an attractive investment. They indicate they may buy more or sell shares over time and may engage with management, the board, and other shareholders on issues such as capitalization, board composition, and operations, and may also use hedging or short-selling strategies related to their position.

Positive

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Negative

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Insights

Pale Fire Capital emerges as a 6.9% Ziff Davis holder with activist-style flexibility.

Pale Fire Capital, via PFC SICAV, now holds 2,597,799 Ziff Davis shares, or 6.9% of outstanding stock, purchased for about $77,138,467. The filing states they viewed the shares as undervalued, signaling a conviction-based, sizable position rather than a small trading stake.

The group outlines a wide range of possible actions: increasing or decreasing its holdings, communicating with management and the Board, discussing strategy and capitalization with other shareholders, and making proposals on Board composition and operations. It also leaves open use of hedging and short-selling, which could shape their economic exposure over time.

For investors, a new 6.9% holder with this level of disclosed flexibility can influence future corporate discussions. Any subsequent changes in ownership, public communications, or board-related proposals would likely appear in future disclosures and could clarify whether the relationship remains passive or becomes more actively engaged.






JAN BARTA
PALE FIRE CAPITAL SE, Zatecka 55/14, Josefov
Prague, 2N, 110-00
420-777-767-773


RYAN NEBEL
OLSHAN FROME WOLOSKY LLP, 1325 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY, 10019
212-451-2300

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)
02/24/2026

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)


If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).






SCHEDULE 13D






SCHEDULE 13D






SCHEDULE 13D






SCHEDULE 13D






SCHEDULE 13D






SCHEDULE 13D


Pale Fire Capital SICAV a.s.
Signature:/s/ Dusan Senkypl
Name/Title:Dusan Senkypl, Authorized Representative
Date:03/03/2026
Pale Fire Capital investicni spolecnost a.s.
Signature:/s/ Dusan Senkypl
Name/Title:Dusan Senkypl, Board Member
Date:03/03/2026
Pale Fire Capital SE
Signature:/s/ Dusan Senkypl
Name/Title:Dusan Senkypl, Chairman of the Board
Date:03/03/2026
Barta Jan
Signature:/s/ Jan Barta
Name/Title:Jan Barta
Date:03/03/2026
Senkypl Dusan
Signature:/s/ Dusan Senkypl
Name/Title:Dusan Senkypl
Date:03/03/2026

FAQ

What stake in Ziff Davis (ZD) does Pale Fire Capital report?

Pale Fire Capital, through PFC SICAV, reports beneficial ownership of 2,597,799 Ziff Davis shares, representing about 6.9% of outstanding common stock. This percentage is based on 37,654,436 shares outstanding as of February 18, 2026, per Ziff Davis’s latest annual report.

How much did Pale Fire Capital pay for its Ziff Davis (ZD) shares?

PFC SICAV’s aggregate purchase price for its 2,597,799 Ziff Davis shares is approximately $77,138,467, including brokerage commissions. The filing notes these purchases were funded with working capital, which may at times include ordinary-course margin loans from brokerage firms.

Why did Pale Fire Capital invest in Ziff Davis (ZD)?

The reporting group states it bought Ziff Davis shares because it believed they were undervalued and represented an attractive investment opportunity. This reflects a value-oriented thesis, though the filing does not provide specific operational or financial catalysts underpinning that assessment.

Could Pale Fire Capital increase or reduce its Ziff Davis (ZD) position?

Yes. The filing explains the investors may increase or decrease their Ziff Davis holdings depending on market conditions, the issuer’s financial position and strategy, and share price levels. They may trade in the open market, privately, or through other transactions they consider advisable.

Does Pale Fire Capital plan to engage Ziff Davis (ZD) management or board?

The group indicates it may communicate with Ziff Davis management, the Board of Directors, other shareholders, and advisors. Potential topics include capitalization, board composition, and operations, suggesting a willingness to be an active voice rather than remaining purely passive investors.

How is beneficial ownership of Ziff Davis (ZD) shares structured among the reporting persons?

PFC SICAV directly holds the 2,597,799 Ziff Davis shares. PFC IS, Pale Fire Capital, and individuals Dusan Senkypl and Jan Barta may be deemed beneficial owners through control relationships, but each expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of shares not directly owned by them personally.

What other arrangements related to Ziff Davis (ZD) shares does the filing describe?

The reporting persons entered a Joint Filing Agreement dated March 3, 2026, to file Schedule 13D statements together when required. Beyond this, they state there are no other contracts, arrangements, understandings, or relationships with any person regarding Ziff Davis securities, aside from those described.
Ziff Davis Inc

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